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Level 7 Civil Servant (TV)

TWO WORDS. JOO WOOOOOON! I’ve been a fan of his ever since Ojakgyo Brothers. I’ve followed him from the star of his career. It would be a big shame if I didn’t watch his latest drama then. Oh, wherever there is Joo Won, it’s bound to get good ratings!

The drama is based on the rollicking action-romance movie Level 7 Civil Servant, which starred Kang Ji-hwan and Kim Haneul as exes who broke up when she was a spy hiding her identity from him. Then they meet years later when he’s become a spy, but they’re part of separate units so they have to keep up their covers in real life. All while juggling their cases and fighting their crackling chemistry, giving us basically one big shenanigan.

The drama will retain the basic premise of the movie, with both spies hiding their identities from each other. It went through several name changes such Secret Agent War but ultimately stuck to the original title. The drama is being written by the original film’s writer, Chun Sung-il, of Chuno and Runaway. The 20-episode drama premieres January 23, 2013 after Missing You.

THE CAST

Joo Won (Gaksital). He plays our passionate hero Han Gil Ro, who decided in his youth that he wanted to be a spy after watching a Bond movie. His father became rich practically overnight, so he grows up in wealth and comfort, with a generous spirit toward others and a chic, refined appearance. Gil Ro gets accepted as a secret agent, but he’s not your usual veteran agent; he thinks and acts like the new generation he belongs to, and he makes mistakes and causes conflict. That sounds similar to Kang Ji-hwan’s character, but we’re told Gil Ro will be a different character from the original.

Choi Kang-hee (Protect the Boss). She will play Kim Seo-won, a hard working agent with brains, brawn, and looks. She comes from a poor family. Being the eldest daughter of a poor farmer, she does her best to support her family financially, from living expenses to all her siblings’ tuition. Seo-won is tenacious and independent, and a realist with fierce pride. Joo-won plays Gil-ro, a rookie agent who comes from a well-to-do family. Their initial conflict will arise out of money and pride.

Kim Min-seo (The Moon That Embraces the Sun). She will play Shin Sun-mi, a rookie agent who’d rather die than show herself to be weak, who dreams of becoming a “fierce elite woman.” Her trademark trait: zero coyness. She grew up with brothers, and that honed her survival instinct. It also toughened her into putting on a strong facade at all times, though she is devoted to those she cares about and trusts. As a newbie in the country’s intelligence ranks, that probably makes her close to Joo-won’s level, since he’s also a younger agent.

Hwang Chansung(Unstoppable High Kick). He plays the role of Gong Do Ha, who is a genius and has a cold but forward personality.

Jang Young-nam (The Moon that Embraces the Sun)

Ahn Nae-sang(The Moon that Embraces the Sun)

Ha Shi-eun (Chuno). She plays the heroine’s friend.

Lee Elle (Gwanghae) She plays a tender-hearted newbie spy.

Kim Soo-hyun(Standby) She plays a bold and poker-faced spy who promises will be appealing. It does hint that she will conflict with Joo-won and Choi Kang-hee though.